"He's [Michael Clarke] on Twitter saying sorry for not walking? Mate if he did that in our side there'd be hell to play. AB would chuck his Twitter box off the balcony or whatever it is. Sorry for not walking? Jesus Christ man."

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad

One of the threads that was probably merged into this one (stupidly imo), was one that was started in response to a NUFAN comment about Clarke only scoring easy runs around 2008, based on pretty conclusive stats. Added concerns was his constant getting out before the end of the day (concentration issues) and his lack of big innings when the side was in need.

Today he scored a ton only a few days after probably the most difficult week of his life, lasted till stumps (now done this a few times) and as we've seen over the past year or so has really shown the ability to play the big innings when required. Australia weren't in the mire today when Clarke came in, but things were evenly poised and he really shifted everything in Australia's balance. Such a good Test batsman (stil wurst odi batzman eva!!!).

One of the threads that was probably merged into this one (stupidly imo), was one that was started in response to a NUFAN comment about Clarke only scoring easy runs around 2008, based on pretty conclusive stats. Added concerns was his constant getting out before the end of the day (concentration issues) and his lack of big innings when the side was in need.

Today he scored a ton only a few days after probably the most difficult week of his life, lasted till stumps (now done this a few times) and as we've seen over the past year or so has really shown the ability to play the big innings when required. Australia weren't in the mire today when Clarke came in, but things were evenly poised and he really shifted everything in Australia's balance. Such a good Test batsman (stil wurst odi batzman eva!!!).

Yeah, he's really shone in the last year in such scenarios.

The two that stand out to me is the Brisbane 98 last season out of about 200, gave the total a minor modicum of respectability, and also the 70-odd with Ricky at the start of the SA tour last year. Both really good innings, deserved a 100 in both.

I didn't think that him getting out before stumps was that bad a problem though, maybe I'm just not attentive to such things - was he getting out last ball/over again and again a few years ago? I definitely agree with you on concentration issues though, that's what frustrated me during the early part of this summer until the Hobart innings - he looked a player in top form but kept getting out in silly ways, usually slashing at a wide ball with no footwork. So it's great to see him really knuckle down and wait out a long, long dry period where everything is pitched on a good length outside off, and just leave everything until he was ready.

Although I take my hat off to him for his ton under such personal scrutiny, I do find it odd that he thanked Lara Bingle for her support - when she was the cause of the drama to begin with. Obviously criticising her publicly wouldn't have been a good look, no matter what his private feelings were, but it just seems like a strange thing to do, given that they just went through an acrimonious breakup.

Although I take my hat off to him for his ton under such personal scrutiny, I do find it odd that he thanked Lara Bingle for her support - when she was the cause of the drama to begin with. Obviously criticising her publicly wouldn't have been a good look, no matter what his private feelings were, but it just seems like a strange thing to do, given that they just went through an acrimonious breakup.

that's only if you believe the media, who are utterly untrustworthy. the real story is probably very different and known only to a select few, all of whom are in NZ right now.